Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal on Thursday claimed that the state’s farmers will get a “big bonanza” after three months.
“Punjab Government is going to introduce an adequate solution to farmer's debt, which will be brought in the next budget. The state is meticulously working on this issue and after three months, the farmers of Punjab will get a big bonanza,” said Manpreet while addressing a gathering at Congress party’s Baisakhi conference.
Taking charge in the absence of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Manpreet announced that Punjab Government would take even a “bigger stride” than Uttar Pradesh in respect of farmers’ debt waiver.
“Punjab farmers would get big respite from debt after three months,” he said while extending greetings on the eve of Khalsa Saajna Divas and Baisakhi to Punjabis.
He also announced that the Government would soon pass a “strong and effective lokpal Bill” with a view to bring more transparency and accountability in governance. “Chief Minister and Ministers would also fall under the ambit of proposed lokpal Bill. As per the proposal of Bill, the consent of the leader of Opposition would also be taken in the appointment of lokpal,” he said.
laying bare the state’s fiscal health, Manpreet said that the outgoing SAD-BJP Government has left Punjab's coffers empty. “It has mortgaged Punjab's income to banks against hefty loans for years to come. Despite such financial health, Punjab government is committed to safeguard interests of farmers and other sections of society,” he said.
“Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is working to propel the economy of state by inviting the major industrial houses of country to set up their ventures in Punjab,” he said.
Talking on the contentious issue of Satluj-Yamuna link (SYl) canal, he said that Punjab's case had not been represented appropriately in the Apex Court. “Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had intervened in the issue and called a meeting in this regard. We are hopeful for a political solution of this issue,” he said.
Terming Punjab Government’s decision to shun VIP culture commendable, Manpreet said that in first of its own kind, the state government had taken landmark decisions in its maiden cabinet.
“The Government would work tirelessly for ensuring good governance, welfare of people besides corruption-free state. The government has regulated working hours of cops of Punjab police, and they will work up-to 12 hours a day,” he added.
Punjab Mandi Board chairman lal Singh, in his address, said that the Capt Amarinder Singh led Congress Government was fully committed to fulfill the promises made with the Punjabis in time-bound manner.